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A washing machine can develop detergent residue, trapped moisture, odors, and buildup even though it regularly runs with soap and water.
But if you are looking for a “natural” way to clean your washer, there is an important distinction to make:
A household ingredient may be useful for wiping or deodorizing, but that does not mean your washing machine manufacturer approves putting it through the machine.
Vinegar is a good example. It is one of the most commonly recommended DIY washing machine cleaners online. However, Whirlpool warns that repeated vinegar exposure can damage some washing-machine components, particularly rubber seals and hoses. Whirlpool specifically advises against simply adding vinegar directly to the drum as a universal cleaning method.
So the safest approach is not simply:
vinegar + baking soda + hot water.
A better rule is:
Clean accessible areas manually, control trapped moisture, and use the cleaning method specified for your particular washing machine when cleaning the inside of the appliance.
Here is how to do that.
Why Does a Washing Machine Need Cleaning?
A washing machine removes soil from clothing, but some material can remain inside the appliance.
Common sources of buildup include:
- detergent residue
- fabric softener
- lint and hair
- soil from clothing
- moisture trapped around seals
- debris in filters and dispensers
Front-load washers deserve particular attention around the door gasket because folds in the seal can retain water and debris.
Moisture also matters.
Maytag’s washer-care guidance recommends leaving the washer door or lid open after its Clean Washer cycle to improve ventilation and allow the interior to dry.
That gives us one of the simplest washer-care habits:
Remove wet laundry promptly and allow the washer interior to dry when your manufacturer and household circumstances permit it.
How Often Should You Clean a Washing Machine?
There is no universal cleaning schedule for every washer.
How quickly residue develops depends on factors such as:
- how frequently you use the washer
- how much detergent you use
- water conditions
- wash temperatures
- whether moisture remains trapped inside
This is why checking the manufacturer’s instructions is more useful than following a generic cleaning calendar.
For example, Maytag says its maintenance procedure for applicable machines should be performed at least once per month or every 30 wash cycles, whichever occurs sooner.
A Maytag cycle guide for another applicable washer likewise specifies using the Clean Washer cycle every 30 washes and running it with an empty basket.
These are useful real-world manufacturer specifications, but they should not be treated as universal rules for every washing machine.
A practical rule is:
Follow your machine’s cleaning indicator or owner’s manual first.
Clean sooner if you notice persistent odor, visible residue, debris around the gasket, or buildup in the detergent dispenser.
Before You Start: Check Your Washer Manual
Before putting vinegar, baking soda, citric acid, bleach, or another cleaner into the washer, find the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions for your exact model.
Look for cycles named:
- Clean Washer
- Tub Clean
- Drum Clean
- Self Clean
- Machine Clean
If your washer provides a dedicated cleaning cycle, use it according to the manufacturer’s directions.
Also check whether the drum should be empty.
For example, Maytag’s Clean Washer cycle guide specifically states that no garments or other items should be inside the washer during the cleaning cycle.
This matters because a maintenance cycle is designed to clean the appliance, not laundry.
Step 1: Clean the Door Gasket
If you have a front-load washer, begin with the rubber door seal.
Open the door and gently inspect the gasket folds.
Look for:
- hair
- lint
- small objects
- detergent residue
- standing moisture
- visible grime
Remove loose debris and wipe accessible surfaces with a soft damp cloth.
The important principle here is simple:
Start with physical removal rather than immediately applying a strong chemical cleaner.
You do not need vinegar, bleach, or another chemical simply to remove loose lint, hair, or fresh residue.
Dry the gasket afterward.
If you find persistent staining or mold-like growth that does not wipe away, consult the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before applying concentrated acids, bleach, or other products to rubber components.
This is particularly relevant to vinegar because Whirlpool notes that repeated exposure to vinegar’s acidity may weaken rubber seals over time.
Step 2: Clean the Detergent and Fabric Softener Dispensers
Detergent drawers are another common place for residue to accumulate.
If your dispenser is removable, take it out according to your washer’s instructions.
Rinse removable components with warm water and use a soft brush to loosen residue in corners and channels.
Wipe the dispenser housing before reinstalling the drawer.
Interestingly, Whirlpool makes an important distinction here: although it advises against pouring vinegar into the washer drum, it says removable dispenser drawers may be soaked separately in a 1:1 solution of white vinegar and water, then scrubbed, rinsed, dried, and reinstalled.
That is a good example of why “Can I use vinegar in a washing machine?” does not have a simple yes-or-no answer.
Where and how you use it matters.
Step 3: Check the Filter if Your Washer Has One
Not every washing machine has a user-accessible pump filter.
If yours does, the manual should explain where it is located and how to access it.
A filter may collect:
- lint
- hair
- coins
- buttons
- other small debris
Do not start opening panels simply because an online cleaning guide says every washing machine has a filter that needs to be removed.
Check the instructions for your model first.
Whirlpool similarly recommends checking the owner’s manual before cleaning a drain-pump filter because washer designs differ.
If water must be drained before removing the filter, follow the manufacturer’s procedure and prepare towels or a shallow container for residual water.
Step 4: Run the Manufacturer-Recommended Cleaning Cycle
Once accessible areas are clean, run the internal cleaning cycle if your machine provides one.
This is where cleaning advice becomes highly model-specific.
For applicable Maytag machines, Maytag’s official washer-cleaning procedure instructs users to remove clothing, place one affresh washer-cleaner tablet in the basket, and start the Clean Washer cycle. If the machine does not provide a dedicated washer-cleaning cycle, its guidance calls for the highest available water level and hottest available water temperature.
Maytag also provides a bleach procedure for applicable machines.
Its odor-removal instructions specify 1 cup (236 mL) of liquid chlorine bleach in the designated compartment and explicitly warn that using more than the recommended amount can damage the washer over time.
This is exactly why I would not recommend universal DIY measurements such as:
“Add 2 cups of this.”
or:
“Add 4 cups of that.”
The appropriate cleaner, concentration, quantity, and cycle can depend on the machine.
Can You Clean a Washing Machine With Vinegar?
Vinegar can be useful for certain household cleaning jobs, but I would not recommend pouring vinegar into every washing machine as a universal cleaning method.
Whirlpool explains that vinegar’s acidity can affect rubber seals and hoses over time and specifically warns about adding vinegar directly to the washing-machine drum.
At the same time, Whirlpool says diluted vinegar can be used for certain external applications and removable dispenser drawers.
So the better answer is:
Check the instructions for your washer before running vinegar through it.
If your manufacturer explicitly permits vinegar and provides a procedure, follow that procedure.
If it does not, use the cleaning method recommended for the machine instead.
What About Baking Soda?
Baking soda is commonly used for odor control and as a mild abrasive in household cleaning.
But “natural” does not automatically mean “approved for every appliance.”
Instead of automatically pouring baking soda into the drum, check whether the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions permit it.
For accessible areas that only have light residue, manual cleaning with a damp cloth or appropriate mild cleaner may be sufficient.
The same principle applies to almost every DIY washer-cleaning ingredient:
Start with the appliance instructions, not the ingredient.
What About Citric Acid?
Citric acid can dissolve mineral scale in many household applications because it is acidic.
However, its ability to dissolve mineral deposits does not establish compatibility with every washing machine component.
Unless your washer manufacturer recommends citric acid or provides a descaling procedure that uses it, avoid inventing your own concentration and running it through the machine.
If hard-water scale is a recurring problem, check the manual for an approved descaling or washer-cleaning procedure.
Never Mix Vinegar and Chlorine Bleach
This rule is not optional:
Never mix vinegar or another acid with chlorine bleach.
Whirlpool specifically warns against mixing vinegar and bleach because the combination can produce toxic chlorine gas.
Do not add a second cleaning chemical simply because the first product did not remove an odor.
If you switch cleaning products, follow the appliance and product instructions regarding rinsing and safe use.
How to Prevent Washing Machine Odors
Deep cleaning is useful, but preventing trapped moisture and residue is easier than repeatedly trying to remove them later.
After washing:
- Remove wet clothes promptly.
- Wipe visible moisture or debris from the gasket when necessary.
- Allow the interior to ventilate when appropriate and safe.
- Use detergent according to the washer and detergent instructions.
- Periodically inspect areas where residue can accumulate.
Maytag specifically recommends leaving the door or lid open after its cleaning procedure to improve ventilation and drying.
Whirlpool gives similar maintenance advice, including promptly removing laundry, checking seals, keeping relevant filters clear, and leaving the door open after a wash cycle to improve airflow and drying.
For a broader look at detergent, load size, everyday operation, placement, weather exposure, and storage, see our washing machine use and care guide.
Does Hot Water Clean a Washing Machine Better?
Hot water can be useful in certain washer-cleaning procedures, but context matters.
For example, Maytag recommends using the hottest available water temperature when following its affresh cleaning procedure on a washer that does not have a dedicated Clean Washer cycle.
That does not mean every normal laundry load needs to use hot water.
The two tasks are different:
Cleaning the washing machine
and
washing your clothes
A maintenance procedure may specify heat to help remove residue, while everyday laundry may use a completely different temperature depending on the fabrics, detergent, stains, and machine instructions.
A Practical Washing Machine Cleaning Routine
Instead of automatically following a weekly vinegar-and-baking-soda recipe, use a condition- and manufacturer-based approach.
After Normal Use
Remove clothes promptly.
Allow residual moisture to dry when appropriate.
Check the door seal if water or debris is visible.
Regularly
Inspect the gasket, door, and dispenser.
Remove visible residue before it accumulates.
Check accessible filters according to your washer’s instructions.
When the Washer Requests Cleaning
Run the manufacturer’s designated cleaning cycle with the recommended cleaning product and quantity.
As one concrete example, several current Maytag washers specify a Clean Washer cycle every 30 washes.
When Odors Persist
Inspect the gasket, dispenser, accessible filter, and drainage areas rather than repeatedly adding fragrance, detergent, or improvised cleaning chemicals.
Persistent odor is a reason to identify the source of residue or moisture, not simply cover the smell.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is vinegar the best natural washing machine cleaner?
Not universally.
Vinegar can dissolve certain deposits, but Whirlpool warns that repeated exposure may affect rubber seals and hoses and advises against adding it directly to the washing-machine drum as a general cleaning method.
Check your specific washer’s instructions first.
How often should I clean my washing machine?
Follow your machine’s manual or cleaning indicator.
As a manufacturer-specific example, Maytag recommends performing its maintenance procedure at least monthly or every 30 wash cycles, whichever occurs sooner, for applicable machines.
That should not automatically be applied to every brand or model.
Should the washing machine be empty during cleaning?
If the manufacturer’s cleaning procedure says so, yes.
Maytag’s Clean Washer cycle documentation explicitly specifies an empty basket with no garments or other items inside.
Should I leave the washing machine door open?
Allowing the interior to ventilate can help moisture evaporate.
Both Maytag and Whirlpool recommend leaving the door or lid open after applicable washing or cleaning procedures to improve ventilation and drying.
However, consider child and pet safety and follow your washer manufacturer’s instructions.
Can I use more cleaner if my washing machine smells bad?
Do not assume more cleaner will work better.
For example, Maytag specifies 1 cup (236 mL) of liquid chlorine bleach in one of its applicable cleaning procedures and warns that exceeding the recommended amount can damage the washer over time.
Follow the quantity specified for your machine and cleaning product.
The Bottom Line
Cleaning a washing machine naturally does not have to mean pouring vinegar and baking soda into the drum.
A lower-risk approach begins with physical cleaning and moisture control:
Remove debris, clean accessible dispensers and seals, allow the interior to dry, and prevent detergent residue from accumulating.
For internal deep cleaning, follow the procedure specified for your particular washer.
That may involve a Clean Washer, Tub Clean, Drum Clean, or similar maintenance cycle and an approved cleaning product.
Most importantly, avoid treating internet DIY recipes as universal appliance instructions.
The right cleaning method depends on the washing machine you actually own.
Natural washer care is ultimately less about finding one “magic” ingredient and more about removing residue, controlling moisture, and using cleaning methods compatible with the appliance.